Enhancement of ZnO dye-sensitized solar cell performance by modifying photoelectrodes using an acid vapor texturing process

Abstract

Abstract Power conversion efficiency of ZnO dye-sensitized solar cell was enhanced by modifying photoelectrodes using an acid vapor texturing process. Screened ZnO films were modified with HNO 3 vapor at various texturing time. The modified ZnO films absorbing with N719 dye were used as photoelectrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. The optimal condition at texturing time of 4 min exhibited the maximum pore density and fine porous films formation. The increase in pore density resulted in better dye adsorption, which was directly correlated to higher short-circuit current density. The cell fabricated with optimal condition obtained the power conversion efficiency of 2.08%, which was mainly due to the increase of short-circuit current density to 6.30 mA/cm 2 . These results suggested that the acid vapor texturing process can be simply and controllably used to modify porous photoelectrodes for enhancing power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells.